Chelsea scouts tracked 24-year-old Bundesliga full-back ‘as recently as last month’

Transfer News: Chelsea continue to track VfB Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa this season

According to transfer news on football.london, Chelsea have been sending scouts to watch VfB Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa this season as the club evaluates its wing-back options ahead of the summer. The player has been watched by Blues scouts as recently as last month.

Manager Thomas Tuchel‘s first-choice wing-back on the left flank is Ben Chilwell, deputised by Marcos Alonso. However, this season has not gone according to plan for the German, with Chilwell being ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury. This leaves Alonso as the only recognised left-back in the first team.

The club failed to bring in a new face through the doors at Stamford Bridge last month. Instead, Chelsea recalled winger Robert Kenedy from his loan spell at Flamengo, with Tuchel eyeing the Brazilian as an alternative to provide defensive cover.

Chelsea have been sending scouts to watch VfB Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa this season. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images)
Chelsea have been sending scouts to watch VfB Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa this season. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images)

Although the Blues never dipped into the transfer market last month, the club was linked with a £25m January move for Sosa. While that transfer never materialised, Chelsea still seem keen on the Croatian star, sending scouts to monitor his progress in the Bundesliga as recently as January.

Alternative for Chilwell?

There is nothing to indicate that Chilwell will be dropped for a new signing at left-back. In such a situation, it is not the worst idea to bring in a new left-back to challenge the Englishman and perhaps pip Marcos Alonso in the pecking order.

In steps Sosa, who enjoyed a breakout season last year, as he racked up nine assists in 26 appearances from left wing-back and left-midfield in his first German top-flight season. Numbers like these are sure to impress many teams including Chelsea, who could be keeping an eye on the Stuttgart man till the end of the season.

Sosa enjoyed a breakout season last year, as he racked up nine assists in 26 appearances from left wing-back and left midfield.
Sosa enjoyed a breakout season last year, as he racked up nine assists in 26 appearances from left wing-back and left midfield.

Having already gained experience playing as a left wing-back in the top-flight division, the 24-year-old defender may prove to be a good summer signing for the Blues if the club decides to pursue him ahead of the new season. It will provide Chilwell with a good competitor in his role to push him further in his performances.

Alonso, meanwhile, has crossed 30 and may no longer turn out to be as mobile and quick. The Premier League isn’t the kindest on players that are slow off the blocks, and the Spaniard may well be approaching the twilight of his career as he grows older. Sosa is young and boasts of rapid pace in his game, making him an ideal candidate.

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Sosa is tied down to Stuttgart until 2025, so if Chelsea were to pursue him in the summer- although there is no strong indication pointing in that direction- the Bundesliga club may have an upper hand in negotiations as they would know their player has ample time on his deal before he could become a free agent.

However, with the club embroiled in a relegation battle at the moment, it remains to be seen what happens to their star left wing-back in the summer. This transfer saga may be one to watch at the end of the season, along with keeping an eye on Stuttgart’s relegation battle.